January 15, 2010

Remember Oneli Perez?

Scouts have never liked Oneli Perez much. His fastball isn’t very fast at 86-89 MPH. He’ll occasionally spike it as high as 92, but the lack of consistent velocity makes scouts skeptical about him. He does have a good slider, and will mix in a pretty solid changeup at times. His statistical track record at the lower levels in the White Sox system was excellent. Indeed, he pitched great at every level until reaching Triple-A in 2008, where he struggled in 30 innings. He ended up in independent baseball to start 2009, which shows you exactly how low his stock was with scouts despite his past track record. Perez was very effective with Newark, and the Cardinals signed him as a free agent when Memphis needed a pitcher at mid-summer. His second try in Triple-A was much better, and as I write this he is pitching very well in the Dominican Summer League: 2.11 ERA, 14/5 K/BB in 21 innings with 15 saves. Perez is 26 years old now. I know Perez will never get a lot of slack, but the numbers are solid, and he strikes me as the kind of pitcher who can be a surprise contributor at the major league level when no one expects it. Grade C.

Reliever Antonio Alfonseca might not be the only 12-digit pitcher in the majors next year. Oneli Perez, the White Sox’s Double-A closer last season, leads the Dominican Winter League in saves and could win a job in spring training. Must be the extra finger on each hand.